This has become a classic monte for many performers. The reason is it is so versatile. For one, it doesn’t require a table. The second reason, and the reason for my review is it can be customized to different themes. Check out the bonus section for an idea for a routine that does not involve a gambling routine

USABILITY

This effect lends itself well to close-up, parlor, or stage, if you used larger cards. The routine will take a bit of practice to learn, but the moves are pretty easy. The effect uses gimmicked cards, so they are not immediately examinable. The example routine below has a section on how to make this examinable.

BONUS

ROUTINE

Many performers, myself included, don’t do gambling theme routines. There might be many reasons, but my reason is I don’t want to be thought of as a sneaky untrustworthy person. I prefer to play the role of someone who entertains with humorous and interesting stories that involve magical moments. So, here is a routine that downplays the con artist theme and uses a different theme. The theme is how cards can be confusing to some people. The reality is that magicians take cards so for granted that they assume everyone knows cards nearly as well as they do. The Stand Up Monte routine uses a move that flies by laypeople and many magicians, yet the move makes no logical sense. This just demonstrates that laypeople and even many magicians don’t always think logically when watching a routine. It also demonstrates that cards can be a bit confusing to some people. The Stand Up Monte is often deemed one of the best monte routines because it is so versatile as it doesn’t require a table and it does not confine the performer to some sort of demonstration of a con game. Below is a non-con game alternative. The following is just the script. To learn the setup and moves, refer to the instruction.

“How many of you play cards? OK, a fair number of you play cards, but some of you don’t. For people who don’t play cards, the cards themselves can be a bit confusing. Most people probably know that a deck of cards has a bunch of different cards, but some of them can look a lot alike. So, I am going to do a little demonstration using just a few cards. Let’s start with just one card, the three of diamonds. If I hold the three of diamonds like this (in right hand), then if I ask “Where is the Three of Diamonds?”, you would say it is in my right hand. If I shuffle them back and forth, then where would you say it is? You guys are smart. I perform this down at the pound and that one just floors them.”

Pause. Turn to one person in the audience and say:

“Pound. You know, dogs and cats?”

“Let’s add one more card, the Ace of Spades.”

Show the two cards, turn them over, and mix them up a bit. Ask the audience where the Ace is.

Continue with the regular Stand Up Monte as described in the instructions.

One final touch: It is good to either end clean or be prepared to end clean. So, you could have an “envelope” sort of device in your pocket that has two pouches. You can make one by taking two sealed envelopes and cutting them so you can place a packet of cards in either envelope and the cards will stick out the top about a quarter inch. Glue the two together. In the pouch closest to your body, place the gimmicked card packet. In the pouch furthest from your body, place a regular set of cards that you can show. As you finish the Monte routine, place the cards in your pocket. Don’t even worry about trying to get them into the pouch. Just place them next to your body. If you need to hand out the cards for examination, pull out the regular cards from the second pouch. If you do this, do another routine with the cards and then hand them out for examination.

Here is a follow up routine that ends with all the cards being examined:

In the pocket with the ungimmicked cards, have two Ace of Spades, one Joker, and two Three of Diamonds. The Joker remains hidden in the packet. Spread the cards showing the backs of the cards and explain that you have five cards. You say they are all Aces and Threes, and it is up to them to determine if there are three Aces or three Threes. Then do a couple of elmsley counts, one that shows three Aces and another that shows three Threes. Finish by showing them that the extra card was the Joker. This mini routine also serves to give a false explanation of why they saw extra Aces and extra Three’s in the Monte routine. Have them examine all the cards and then place them back in your pocket. While few people are going to want to look in your pocket, if it happens, you simply say “Wouldn’t you rather look in this pocket? This is where I keep my wallet.” Then, turn to another participant or spectator and say “He/she is desperate to get into my clothing.”

I hope you enjoy it.

Product info for Stand Up Monte

It starts out easy enough...the magician displays a single 3 of Diamonds and plays a game of "one-card monte" with the spectator. Just to make things a little tougher, another card, the Ace of Clubs, is added which acts as the money card. After a few rounds, another 3 of Diamonds is added in and now the fun really begins.

No matter how hard they try, the spectator just can't follow the Ace! For the eye-popping climax, all of the cards are shown to have changed into the Ace of Clubs!

A fabulous trick perfect for strolling performances as no table is required and packs a lot of magic into a fun routine.